What does Proverbs 9:13 mean?

Solomon has depicted wisdom as a woman calling for an audience (Proverbs 8:1–4) and a noble lady inviting others to be her guest (Proverbs 9:1–6). The last verses of this chapter present an inversion of this idea: an adulterous woman who is loud, seductive, and ignorant. The character of this mirror image, referred to as Folly, is an extension of the predatory woman depicted earlier in Proverbs (Proverbs 7:7–27).

Folly stands in stark contrast to Lady Wisdom, who offers insight, life, increased learning, and longevity. The woman Folly is attractive, but coarse and naïve. She and her clients fit the same description. Those who fall for her tricks are captivated by loud talk and superficial beauty. They are drawn into her house like a fly being drawn into a Venus Flytrap.

This imagery plays on the unfortunate habit of males to be swayed by the beauty and seduction of a woman. History records Samson's fall from a position of strength when he became enthralled with Delilah's appealing looks and persuasive speech. King David fell into sin when he "saw from the roof a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful" (2 Samuel 11:2). Snared by his lust, "David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her" (2 Samuel 11:4). The basic concept, however, applies to both sexes. Proverbs 31:30 insists, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."